In many religions, war is often discussed. Recently, there has been tension and war in Israel, as well as Afghanistan. There has been news concerning Hamas (Israel) and ISIS (Middle-East). The opposing sides to these extremist groups are primarily Jewish and Christian. Although not mentioned as frequently as others, Hinduism is a religion in which peace is strongly shown. is In this post, quotes from both religious texts are explained and then compared to situations happening in modern day, and their contradictions.
Religions
In this post Judaism and Hinduism will be discussed.
Question/Inquiry
What do different religions speak about war, and killing?
Quotes from Religious Texts & Analysis
Judaism and Civilian Casualties
"Despite the explicit Torah obligation to wage war, we are also commanded to have mercy on the enemy, and even during wartime, only to kill when it is necessary for self-defense for the purpose of conquest and victory; and not to attack non-combatants, and certainly not to strike at women and children who are not participating in the war effort. With the exception of obligatory wars about which we were explicitly commanded by the Torah in ancient times, "You shall save alive nothing that breathes" (Devarim 20:16), since the enemies of that time also practiced cruelty, and so the Torah was stringent about them. Nothing may be learned from them, God forbid, about other wars or about our time. (R. Goren, Meshiv Milchama I, p. 14)[7]"
"According to Mezan’s current count, 2,168 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza war, and 1,666 of them, or 77 percent, were civilians."
In the Torah, (The Jewish holy book), it is stated that it is wrong to murder civilians, even in a legitimate war situation. Recently, the Jewish soldiers have been killing civilians in Gaza Strip. These acts of brutality have been happening ever since the creation of Israel. If this is so, than isn't creating a holy-state that has partaken in these acts a hypocrisy?
This quote specifically states that even if the Torah commands war, the soldiers are not to strike innocent civilians, and non-combatants. This quote also says that they are only to kill in self defense, and for Conquest and Victory. Although the Jews have succeeded in capturing Palestine from their original inhabitants, they continue to kill and maim innocent civilians with no large cause. Israel's new Iron Dome rocket defense system has been protecting their civilians from Hamas' rockets with a 95 percent protection rate. The rockets that have indeed, landed in Israel have not done significant damage. Out of 4005 rockets launched, 8 Israelis were killed, and 60 were injured.
The second quote clearly shows the civilian casualties. If in their religion it states that civilians are not to be killed, then why have over one thousand perished. In the Geneva Conventions, it is stated that the killing of civilians, especially women, and children, is a large violation.
Sikhism and War
"Five centuries ago, Guru Nanak founded Sikhism, a religion designed to promote equality among people. Although it evolved into a warrior religion, it was intended to uphold bravery in the face of evil. But the very essence of Sikhism, its spiritual struggle for human rights, has been perverted by misguided men bent on gaining power and exacting revenge.
This quote shows how a religion's starting values, and beliefs can be changed by time. This religion started to promote equality, such as other religions, but then changed into showing war, and fighting as ways to get justice. I guess this applies to all religions. The quote "the very essence...has been perverted by the misguided man bent on gaining power and exacting revenge." shows that this religion, and probably many others were not violent, and promoting violence. They changed, and became that way from extremists, and people who used it as a way to get power. This also applies to leaders of countries, and organizations. An example of this outside of Sikhism is in Islam. Osama bin-Laden was a leader, and chose to pervert Islam in order to gain following by others, and exact revenge on the West.
"The Sikh teaching, “When all else fails, only then raise your sword,” no longer applies to defending the defenseless. It is an excuse to use violence to settle the score."
This quote shows the misinterpretation of holy texts. The Sikh holy teachings state that "When all else fails..." This does not promote violence for frivolous matters, rather, it shows how man, greedy for power, can change meanings of holy texts/misinterpret them, and start a corrupt civilization that uses these incorrect beliefs, which, in turn causes disharmonious society, and wars.
In many religions, war is often discussed. Recently, there has been tension and war in Israel, as well as Afghanistan. There has been news concerning Hamas (Israel) and ISIS (Middle-East). The opposing sides to these extremist groups are primarily Jewish and Christian. Although not mentioned as frequently as others, Hinduism is a religion in which peace is strongly shown. is In this post, quotes from both religious texts are explained and then compared to situations happening in modern day, and their contradictions.
Religions
In this post Judaism and Hinduism will be discussed.
Question/Inquiry
What do different religions speak about war, and killing?
Quotes from Religious Texts & Analysis
Judaism and Civilian Casualties
"Despite the explicit Torah obligation to wage war, we are also commanded to have mercy on the enemy, and even during wartime, only to kill when it is necessary for self-defense for the purpose of conquest and victory; and not to attack non-combatants, and certainly not to strike at women and children who are not participating in the war effort. With the exception of obligatory wars about which we were explicitly commanded by the Torah in ancient times, "You shall save alive nothing that breathes" (Devarim 20:16), since the enemies of that time also practiced cruelty, and so the Torah was stringent about them. Nothing may be learned from them, God forbid, about other wars or about our time. (R. Goren, Meshiv Milchama I, p. 14)[7]"
"According to Mezan’s current count, 2,168 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza war, and 1,666 of them, or 77 percent, were civilians."
In the Torah, (The Jewish holy book), it is stated that it is wrong to murder civilians, even in a legitimate war situation. Recently, the Jewish soldiers have been killing civilians in Gaza Strip. These acts of brutality have been happening ever since the creation of Israel. If this is so, than isn't creating a holy-state that has partaken in these acts a hypocrisy?
This quote specifically states that even if the Torah commands war, the soldiers are not to strike innocent civilians, and non-combatants. This quote also says that they are only to kill in self defense, and for Conquest and Victory. Although the Jews have succeeded in capturing Palestine from their original inhabitants, they continue to kill and maim innocent civilians with no large cause. Israel's new Iron Dome rocket defense system has been protecting their civilians from Hamas' rockets with a 95 percent protection rate. The rockets that have indeed, landed in Israel have not done significant damage. Out of 4005 rockets launched, 8 Israelis were killed, and 60 were injured.
The second quote clearly shows the civilian casualties. If in their religion it states that civilians are not to be killed, then why have over one thousand perished. In the Geneva Conventions, it is stated that the killing of civilians, especially women, and children, is a large violation.
Sikhism and War
"Five centuries ago, Guru Nanak founded Sikhism, a religion designed to promote equality among people. Although it evolved into a warrior religion, it was intended to uphold bravery in the face of evil. But the very essence of Sikhism, its spiritual struggle for human rights, has been perverted by misguided men bent on gaining power and exacting revenge.
This quote shows how a religion's starting values, and beliefs can be changed by time. This religion started to promote equality, such as other religions, but then changed into showing war, and fighting as ways to get justice. I guess this applies to all religions. The quote "the very essence...has been perverted by the misguided man bent on gaining power and exacting revenge." shows that this religion, and probably many others were not violent, and promoting violence. They changed, and became that way from extremists, and people who used it as a way to get power. This also applies to leaders of countries, and organizations. An example of this outside of Sikhism is in Islam. Osama bin-Laden was a leader, and chose to pervert Islam in order to gain following by others, and exact revenge on the West.
"The Sikh teaching, “When all else fails, only then raise your sword,” no longer applies to defending the defenseless. It is an excuse to use violence to settle the score."
This quote shows the misinterpretation of holy texts. The Sikh holy teachings state that "When all else fails..." This does not promote violence for frivolous matters, rather, it shows how man, greedy for power, can change meanings of holy texts/misinterpret them, and start a corrupt civilization that uses these incorrect beliefs, which, in turn causes disharmonious society, and wars.
Sources:
http://www.warriorsreligion.com/faq
http://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/20-16.htm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-un-says-7-in-10-palestinians-killed-in-gaza-were-civilians-israel-disagrees/2014/08/29/44edc598-2faa-11e4-9b98-848790384093_story.html